Half Figure of a Man, Nude to the Waist 1740 - 1765

"Half Figure of a Man, Nude to the Waist" is a chalk drawing by Jean-Baptiste Deshays, an artist working in 18th century France. During this period, the French academy codified what was considered beautiful and proper, often drawing inspiration from classical antiquity. This drawing is a study of the male nude, a common subject in academic art. However, Deshays' figure departs from the idealized forms typically seen. Instead of a smooth, flawless physique, we see a man with weight and imperfections. His gaze is directed away, lost in thought, perhaps a comment on labor and the working class. Consider this artwork within the context of the Enlightenment, a time of shifting social structures and questioning of norms. It offers a glimpse into the changing representations of masculinity and the human form. It invites us to consider the diverse ways in which people occupy their bodies, and the stories they carry within them.